New webtoon center opens on Seoul’s Cartoon Street

People can now create character figurines via 3-D printing at a new Webtoon Workshop Center on Cartoon Street, or Jaemiro, in Myeong-dong. The center, which aims to promote the webtoon culture, was opened by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Monday. It also showcases character figurines and posters from Korean webtoon as well as DC Comics and Marvel, such as Batman and Iron Man. 

The center will be managed by Seoul Business Agency which also runs the Seoul Animation Center near Myeong-dong Subway Station. SBA, which is affiliated with the city government, provides support to small and medium-sized venture companies, including digital content start-ups.

In 2013, the city launched the 450-meter long comic book-themed Jaemiro street, which starts at Myeong-dong Subway Station Exit Nos. 2 and 3. Along the street, visitors can see paintings and posters of Korean webtoon and comic book characters such as those form “Incomplete Life (Misaeng)” and “Jjibba” on the walls of alleyways and buildings. Visitors can also visit other multipurpose facilities, including Jaemirang, where exhibitions and seminars by comic artists are regularly held.

By Park Hyong-ki (hkp@heraldcorp.com)